I listen to podcasts regularly as a way to make my commute more pleasant and a recent one used the phrase “productive discomfort” as a way of talking about work conflict. The phrase in the episode crystallized the difference between conflict for the sake of arguing versus approaching difficult conversations with the goal of productive resolution. I’ve been thinking about productive discomfort ever since.
My job often involves stepping into difficult situations. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the uncomfortable nature of that work, but it’s been helpful to think about it in terms of a necessary step on the way to a productive resolution. I also have been thinking about the phrase in terms of learning new skills and putting us outside of our comfort zone. I appreciate how often this work has provided opportunities for that growth and change.
Are you a podcast listener? What are your favorites? Send me recommendations! My current favorites are No Stupid Questions and Anderson Cooper’s All There Is.
The next issue of News & Notes will be in January after a short break for University Holidays. Be well and I hope you have some enjoyable days off!
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)
The Minnesota Department Labor and Industry recently introduced Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST). The policy requires that employers must provide Minnesota employees one hour of ESST for every 30 hours worked, with a maximum of 48 hours earned annually. Unused ESST will roll over to the next year. The maximum balance is 80 hours. The policy will go into effect on January 1, 2024. An FAQ and additional resources are available on the Office of Human Resources website.
ESST can be used when an employee is sick, to care for a sick family member, to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse, or if there is a work or school closure that prevents an employee from being able to work. ESST will be offered in addition to the University’s traditional sick time program, and current sick time will not be impacted by ESST.
ESST can be used when an employee is sick, to care for a sick family member, to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse, or if there is a work or school closure that prevents an employee from being able to work. ESST will be offered in addition to the University’s traditional sick time program, and current sick time will not be impacted by ESST.
Performance appraisal tips & tricks
As a reminder, employee performance appraisals are due on January 5, 2024. The rest of the timeline is available on the N&N blog. We recommend copying the performance appraisal questions into a Google Doc, and pasting your answers into the form. If you have specific questions about the time frame or your goals from this past year, talk with your supervisor. We also recommend checking in with your supervisor about goals for next year.
Regarding the DEI goal portion of the performance appraisal, we suggest reviewing the DEI committee’s vision statements to reflect on your goal from last year and use it as a framework to form a goal for this year. Your performance appraisal goal should be related to DEI in your own work. You can also use the vision statements to create professional development related goals for your Individual Development Plan (IDP), which is separate from your performance appraisal.
Regarding the DEI goal portion of the performance appraisal, we suggest reviewing the DEI committee’s vision statements to reflect on your goal from last year and use it as a framework to form a goal for this year. Your performance appraisal goal should be related to DEI in your own work. You can also use the vision statements to create professional development related goals for your Individual Development Plan (IDP), which is separate from your performance appraisal.
Human Rights Day
Sunday, December 10, marked the 75th anniversary of Human Rights Day. This day observes the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document drafted by countries around the world in the wake of World War II. The declaration outlines the fundamental rights of all human beings, such as life, liberty, and freedom from cruel, inhumane treatment. To commemorate its anniversary, the White House released a proclamation that the United States “continues to defend fundamental freedoms and human rights wherever they are under threat.”
It can be difficult to recognize and celebrate such anniversaries as we witness ongoing humanitarian crises around the world in places such as Sudan, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Haiti, Ethiopia, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Syrian Arab Republic. We also have had several weeks of headline news about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with reports of 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced and forced into small encampments, increasing the risk of starvation and disease as families go days without food, water, shelter, or medical care.
As we commemorate Human Rights Day, equity work implores us to look back at history and also consider systems of power, privilege, and oppression. Whose rights have we actually deemed inalienable, and whose are still up for debate? Whose lives and stories are valuable, and whose do we treat as dispensable? We encourage you to reflect on questions like this in your own lives, and as we approach a new year, let us collectively work toward a future that encompasses the dignity and worth of all human beings.
It can be difficult to recognize and celebrate such anniversaries as we witness ongoing humanitarian crises around the world in places such as Sudan, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Haiti, Ethiopia, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Syrian Arab Republic. We also have had several weeks of headline news about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with reports of 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced and forced into small encampments, increasing the risk of starvation and disease as families go days without food, water, shelter, or medical care.
As we commemorate Human Rights Day, equity work implores us to look back at history and also consider systems of power, privilege, and oppression. Whose rights have we actually deemed inalienable, and whose are still up for debate? Whose lives and stories are valuable, and whose do we treat as dispensable? We encourage you to reflect on questions like this in your own lives, and as we approach a new year, let us collectively work toward a future that encompasses the dignity and worth of all human beings.
One Stop holiday staffing
One Stop offices (One Stop, GSSP, SAA, Third-Party Billing, & UVS) will only be offering remote service options December 27-29. All service options, including in-person, will resume when staff return to the office on January 2.
Student Services Fee Waiver
On December 15, the new Student Services Fee Waiver will launch in Jadu. The former WorkflowGen process has been retired. This implementation allows for automated activation and deactivation based on tuition calculation and required deadline dates, and automatically routes UMR requests to the Rochester One Stop. The Student Services Fee Assessment request, which is already in Jadu, has also received some updates to align with the new waiver process.
Thank you to all those who contributed to the final product: Eric Anderson, Erin Anderson, JoJo Botzet, Ryan Ceresnak, Jess Clem, Karen Magness, and Fuechee Yang.
Thank you to all those who contributed to the final product: Eric Anderson, Erin Anderson, JoJo Botzet, Ryan Ceresnak, Jess Clem, Karen Magness, and Fuechee Yang.
ASR Staff Engagement December 14 Survey
This week’s ASR Staff Engagement Survey is winter themed. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, most feel satisfied with their current work-life balance with 89.3% feeling either very or somewhat satisfied. Most also feel comfortable speaking up when they are overwhelmed with work (82.1%). When asked about feeling exhausted at the end of a workday, most say they are exhausted very frequently or somewhat frequently (60.7%).
Finally, we asked about your best cooked dishes, and pizza, chili, and pasta were the most frequent responses. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated. The results from the last survey are available below.
November 30, 2023 survey results
How satisfied are you with your current work-life balance?
According to the last survey, most feel satisfied with their current work-life balance with 89.3% feeling either very or somewhat satisfied. Most also feel comfortable speaking up when they are overwhelmed with work (82.1%). When asked about feeling exhausted at the end of a workday, most say they are exhausted very frequently or somewhat frequently (60.7%).
Finally, we asked about your best cooked dishes, and pizza, chili, and pasta were the most frequent responses. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated. The results from the last survey are available below.
November 30, 2023 survey results
How satisfied are you with your current work-life balance?
- Very satisfied (53.6%)
- Somewhat satisfied (35.7%)
- Somewhat dissatisfied (10.7%)
- Yes (82.1%)
- No (17.9%)
- Very frequently (28.6%)
- Somewhat frequently (32.1%)
- Not frequently (39.3%)
- Italian food
- Pot roast
- Almost any pasta dish!
- Matzo Ball soup
- Calico Beans
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